SEATTLE — After a nice run of quiet weather, rain is on the horizon for as far as the forecast can see. The National Weather Service expects the first in a series of wet weather systems will make its way to Puget Sound by Wednesday morning, promising periods of widespread rain well into next week, apart from a few short breaks in the action.

Forecasters expect the first system will reach the Seattle area by the morning commute and linger into the evening commute before things taper off heading into Thursday. The next system is due by Thursday evening, with rains holding steady through Friday, and forecasters see more systems rolling in for the weekend.

“An upper level low [is] making its way southward from the Gulf of Alaska and will be the predominant weather maker for the weekend and into the start of next week as a series of fronts associated with this system will pass through [Western Washington],” NWS Seattle wrote Tuesday. “Each passing front does bring with it the potential for breezy conditions, as well as gradually eroding snow levels to around 4,000-4,500 feet Sunday and Monday, allowing for snowfall to return to higher elevation.”

On the temperature front, Wednesday and Thursday should stay on the warmer side, with afternoon highs in the low-to-mid 60s, before things will take a cooler turn by Friday, knocking temperatures back below average.

The latest climate outlooks favor weather that’s wetter and cooler than normal continuing through the last full week of October.

Here’s the 5-day weather outlook for the Seattle area:

• Wednesday: 59°/51° (Rain – 80%)
• Thursday: 64°/53° (PM rain – 90%)
• Friday: 56°/48° (Rain – 80%)
• Saturday: 54°/45° (Rain)
• Sunday: 54°/47° (Rain)